It's a disease. I have it, too.

It’s just being courteous, nothing wrong with that. You never know, one day he might offer you a bag or something.

Simply saying "Hi" will suffice.

Because you’re civilized & a delight to be around. Unlike the person who works there

they often have to come over and fix some shit watching for thievery is probably the smallest part of their job - but i don't know how it is where criminals are not properly prosecuted and excluded from teh gen pop

My local grocery store went the opposite route: maybe a 25 year old guy who has some developmental issues just stands there and sings songs all day (loudly) and says pleasant things.